VH1 Soul

Jhene Aiko is doing “it” right now on the music front, and is making quite a name for herself in the process as the “it” girl to know about. The soulful songstress just released her sophomore album, Souled Out, on September 9th and we couldn’t wait to see one of her shows to see firsthand what folks have been buzzing about. We were witness to her performance last night in front of a sold out crowd at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and what did we discover? That we’re officially “souled” on Jhene Aiko. Read more…

We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking album Janet Jackon’s Rhythm Nation 1814 and bowing down before the pop goddessthat is Janet Jackson. Almost from the start Janet was a trailblazer, fusing pop, R&B and hip-hop, raising the bar for music video choreography, speaking out about social injustice and breaking racial and sexual taboos. The trends she started in fashion and music can still be seen in the work of today’s female stars, such as Ciara, Britney Spears and Beyonce among many others.

This week we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, the1989 album that cemented Janet Jackson‘s reputation as one of the era’s premiere female artists with it’s messages of sexual empowerment and era-defining new jack swing sound. However, did you know that it was actually a concept album about social injustices and was also accompanied by a 30-minute long form music video? Read more…

Instagram works wonders, people. It can turn our favorite singers from the late ’90s and early 2000s into superstars all over again. Don’t believe us? Check out these nine former R&B stars who now rule Instagram. From va-va-voom bikini bods (hey, Ashanti) to rock-hard pecs (yes, you Craig David) these singers are setting the web on fire with their glorious #grams.

Janet Jackson began her solo musical career more than 30 years ago as the fresh-faced baby sister of her famous older brothers. But starting with 1986′s Control and reaching full flight with 1989′s Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, Janet matured into an artist equal to any elder Jackson and a grown women in full command of her status as a budding sex symbol. Read more…

Actress and R&B diva Faith Evans is dropping her new album Incomparable on October 28th, but you don’t have to wait that long for a taste. VH1 has the exclusive premiere of her new single “I Deserve It,” featuring a little musical help from her friends Missy Elliott and Sharaya J!

R&B star JOE has come a long way since his “I Wanna Know” days. His new album Bridges (which features Kelly Rowland) is inspired by his life relationships, which we already get a peak of in his new video “If You Lose Her.”

When you’re discussing Quincy Jones, there is no such thing as hyperbole. Just ask his 27 Grammys. The 81-year-old has played a vital role in the development of jazz, funk, and hip hop, holds more records than a jukebox, logged more firsts than Adam and Eve, and collaborated with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Grandmaster Melle Mel. It is no exaggeration to say he’s the chief architect of popular music in the 20th Century. But as we venture further into the new millennium, he’s getting pissed.

The cultural titan recently appeared in the The Distortion Of Sound, a documentary produced by cutting edge audio outfit Harman Kardon. The fascinating film explores the complex pros and cons of music in the digital age. Although companies like iTunes and Spotify have made music more accessible, portable, and cheaper than ever before, mp3s have become so compressed that the vast majority of the sound quality -sometimes up to 90 percent- is lost. With the omnipresence of iPods and ear buds, the documentary contends that a generation of music lovers are being raised on low-grade sonic sludge. As the final piece of his formidable legacy, Jones is working with Harman to ensure that his art, and the art of so many others, can be enjoyed the way it was meant to be heard.

The Godfather of Soul. Soul Brother #1. Mr. Dynamite. The Hardest Working Man in Show Business. James Brown had many regal titles in life yet none truly do justice to his monumental impact on music or presence in the world. His musical influence alone is staggering. Read more…